Policies of Cleveland Voucher Program Faulted

By Jeff Archer

Ohio education officials say they plan to step up their scrutiny and guidance of Cleveland's voucher program after a state auditor's report showed the program in need of greater oversight.

In announcing the move last week, the state education department pledged to carry out its own review to pursue the auditor's claims that the state-funded program lacks clear policies in some areas and fails to verify adequately the eligibility of its participants.

While moving the state to action, the audit also has stoked the fires of debate around the program, which this year awarded vouchers worth up to $2,250 a year to about 2,900 Cleveland students to pay tuition at...